Hip-Hop Classic #11: Lil' Kim - Notorious KIM (Chosen by Joseph 'JP' Patterson)

'Notorious KIM' is the title track from Lil' Kim's sophmore album, The Notorious K.I.M., which was released in 2000 on Atlantic. The song is produced by Rockwilder and sits at #8 on the tracklist, in between the two singles from the album, 'How Many Licks' & 'No Matter What They Say'. The album debuted at the top of the U.S. Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart, and at #4 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of 230,000 copies - more than half as much as her debut effort, Hard Core, and ultimately spending 25 weeks in the chart. Although it gained a critical response from many, it is Kim's most successful release to date, and was the perfect "memorial" to the late Notorious B.I.G. As she explains; "I felt Biggie's spirit while I was working on this album. I thought it was a perfect name for the album. Also, I am known in a notorious way, my style and lyrics. I've been known in a notorious way over the years." R.I.P. Christopher Wallace.

Joseph 'JP' Patterson: "I was in love with her from a very early age"